Page 3 of Babies at Coconuts

Chapter 3

Suzy took a cleansing breath as she closed her bedroom door. Winking at her son, she said, “It’s show time.”

As they entered the living room, Fernando played “O Sole Mio” on the piano. His mother sang badly and at the top of her lungs. She totally ignored Suzy and Jon who stood in the center of the room until the entire song was over. Three stanzas later, she clapped, then hugged Fernando. “Beautiful, my son. Bellissimo.”

She splayed her arms and bounded toward Suzy once again. Giving her an appreciative once-over, she said, “Gorgeous outfit.” She kissed her cheeks again. “I’m Gia. Everyone calls me Mama Gia.”

Mama Gia squeezed a pale Jon and kissed his cheek. “I see where you get your good looks.”

In an attempt to steer the conversation, Suzy said, “Welcome to our home, and to the States. Our boys are getting married. Isn’t this wonderful?”

Mama Gia nodded but huge tears filled her eyes, spilling onto her cheeks. “My baby is getting married. My ba-by.” Suzy noticed she hugged Fernando so hard she nearly strangled him.

Fernando gave a choking sound as he caught his breath. “Mama, it’s okay. Calm down. I’m still your baby.”

Luigi, who rivaled Mighty Mouse’s upside down triangular physique, crossed his muscular arms. “Actually, I’m the youngest.”

Mama Gia smacked him. “You’re all my babies. I wish you still lived with me.”

Three of the brothers chorused, “We do.”

Jon snuck a worried glance toward his mother.

Suzy stood stock still. Jon was her only son but even at that she knew he needed wings. He needed to leave the nest. Obviously, Fernando’s mother didn’t feel the same. Her mind swirled with images of Vanessa, Jon’s former high school girlfriend, as she wondered whether Fernando had told his mother the bombshell news. Her heart raced at the thought of Mama Gia’s reaction when she learned Vanessa became pregnant with his child after a reckless and drunk prom night. This could be disastrous.

Deciding to change the subject, Suzy extended her hand to the three brothers. “As you’ve figured out, I’m Suzy Jacobs, Jon’s mom. Welcome to Crystal City and to our home.” Clearing her throat, she added, “My husband, Ken, and stepdaughter, Izzy, will meet us at the restaurant.”

“Where are my manners?” Mama Gia said. “Meet my wonderful boys.”

One by one, Luigi, Vinny, and Franco, who insisted on being called Frankie, introduced themselves while simultaneously kissing her on both cheeks. Suzy chuckled to herself imagining her best friend, Alex, who would be searching for a wet paper towel to wipe off all of the germs.

Mama Gia wrapped her arms around Suzy’s neck. “I’m positive we’ll be one, big happy family.” She sighed much too loudly. “But I wish the boys could have gotten married in Italy.” Her arms waved in the air. “The history. The architecture. The food. It’s all so beautiful for a wedding.” She shook her head in obvious dismay. “Rome or Florence would have been perfetto. Or imagine the backdrop of Venice and a gondola ride for the two grooms. So roman—”

Suzy bristled. “Since I’m the wedding planner and this is my gift to the grooms, it would have been too difficult to plan from afar. Their ceremony will be beautiful, I promise.”

Shrugging, Mama Gia said, “If you say so but I could have organized everything in Italy. How hard can it be? You need a priest, a venue, food, and music. What else?” She threw both hands in the air to emphasize her point.

Stiffening, Suzy stole a glance toward Jon who mouthed, “Told you.”

Unable to resist, Suzy said, ticking off her fingers, “There’s also decorations, invitations, and guests’ mementos, to name a few. Jon has always dreamed of a beach wedding, and I think you’ll like what I’ve created at Coconuts.”

“What’s Coconuts?” Mama Gia asked.

“A restaurant bar my girlfriends and I frequent. It’s our weekly oasis.”

Mama Gia’s mouth fell open. “The wedding is going to be held in a bar?”

Jon stepped forward and stood beside his mother. “It’s actually in a parking lot beside the bar.”

Suzy noticed her son’s mouth twitched as he tamped down an obvious urge to grin and needle Fernando’s mom. Talking fast before his future mother-in-law could say anything else, he added, “Mom has worked extremely hard on this. It’s her gift to us, like she said. She’s recreating a beach in landlocked Crystal City. She always pulls off gorgeous weddings. I have full confidence in her.” He kissed his mother’s cheek and glanced toward his future mother-in-law. “You’ll see.”

At that moment, Suzy had never loved her son more. She braced herself for Mama Gia’s reaction as all eyes turned toward Fernando’s mother.

“Whatever you say.” The tiny, dark-haired woman shrugged. “Do you have any wine around here?”

“Of course. Great idea.” Suzy stepped into the kitchen and placed two bottles of red wine on the counter.

Jon followed her and Fernando set wineglasses on a silver tray. The three worked in unison—and silence.

It was obvious to Suzy that the guys were, in their small way, trying to keep the peace. She placed her arms across the shoulders of the grooms-to-be. “Don’t worry, guys. Nothing will go wrong. I’ve planned weddings a hundred times.”

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